Network engineering is an immensely rewarding career choice. It gives you a chance to work with some of the latest and greatest technologies. At the same time, you can utilize a wide variety of skills in the course of an average day on the job. Network engineering is a rewarding branch of the IT industry, but how do you go about starting a career in this field?
How Do I Start a Career in Network Engineering?
Network engineering is a complex field. And there’s a lot to learn before entering into it, but thankfully it’s easy to get started down this career path. An easy way to pursue a career in network engineering is to take advantage of a technical school’s program. A network engineering program at a trade school offers many different courses and certifications. They include:
Network Engineering Courses
Network engineering courses cover the common situations that you’ll see in enterprise settings. This includes the use, configuration, and design of both Microsoft and Linux-based IT infrastructures. And you’ll learn how to make these seemingly disparate platforms communicate with one another. You’ll also discover how to implement and maintain networks that are especially focused on Microsoft’s technologies. This also includes understanding leadership and administration roles within that context.
The course also covers all of the network peripherals and devices that are part of modern data centers and networks. Working with the full collection of network devices and platforms provides the foundation you need to properly manage an entire complex network.
You’ll learn how to build, troubleshoot, and configure networking systems. Both as individual items and smaller parts of the larger network. On top of this, you’ll be able to properly document all aspects of the network to ensure others can properly add to your work. This is thanks in part to the insight you’ll gain on enterprise network topologies. But it’s also because you’ll have worked with advanced IT certifications which bring along additional insight.
Which IT Certifications are Important?
The network engineer training program fits the previously mentioned coursework into a framework that focuses on 10+ unique IT certifications. They include:
CompTIA A+
The CompTIA A+ certification is often referred to as a foundational certification. This certification focuses on the basic foundation of a large number of different technologies. It doesn’t delve into the most advanced side of these subjects. However, if you have an A+ certification people will know that you’re able to handle the basics of almost anything related to IT. This includes networking, but it also encompasses all major operating systems, hardware, digital security, and even backup procedures.
CompTIA Network+
The CompTIA Network+ certification looks into the most important aspects of networking on all of the popular frameworks. The certification confirms that you can work with core system connections that hook up to specific endpoint devices. It also touches on aspects of digital security and hardware design which intersect with networking.
CompTIA Security+
CompTIA’s Security+ certification encompasses most of the advanced aspects of digital security. This is an especially important aspect of networking since outside connections are a common exploit area among hackers. The Security+ certification confirms that you can properly harden system security, monitor attacks, and perform various tasks related to entry-level cybersecurity.
MTA: Windows Operating System Fundamentals
Windows Operating System Fundamentals covers the basics of modern Windows environments. It affirms that you don’t just have the skills needed to use Windows, it also shows that you have the ability to help guide others through various activities within the operating system. This makes it a good match for situations where colleagues need to work with network settings and similar subjects.
MTA: Windows Server Administration Fundamentals
Windows Server Administration Fundamentals looks at the network-related components of Microsoft’s operating systems. This includes Windows-based servers, active directory, account management, and various system-level tools.
CompTIA Server+
The CompTIA Server+ certification exam covers both the administration and support of computer servers as a whole. This includes aspects of networking that relate to servers. But in addition to this, the certification also looks at a server’s basic hardware and storage systems. The Server+ certification exam also covers virtualization, operating systems, and other issues related to software running on network servers.
AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner
The AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner exam covers a wide variety of subjects related to general cloud computing, but the bulk of its focus is on the cloud computing technologies related to AWS. This certification is especially significant for network engineers due to the overall popularity of AWS in enterprise settings.
Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals
Azure Fundamentals covers both basic cloud services and their relationship to the Microsoft Azure platform. This includes most basic usage scenarios for Azure including networking, application support and development, storage, and general computing. This is an ideal skill set for people who will be working with Microsoft-related technologies.
CompTIA Linux+
CompTIA’s Linux+ certification covers most foundational elements of the Linux operating system. This is especially important for network engineers as Linux is one of the most commonly used operating systems within professional networks. The certification covers tasks and elements associated with all of the major Linux distributions. In doing so the certification avoids any specific lockout related to individual Linux distributions. This certification proves proficiency with basic maintenance tasks, configuration for a variety of functions, and everything related to networking.
CompTIA IT Operations Specialist
CompTIA’s IT operations Specialist is a stackable certification path. It highlights the successful completion of multiple certifications that complement each other. This is generally done to highlight skillsets applicable to specific professional positions. In this case, it shows that you’ve completed A+ and Network+ certifications. The IT Operations Specialist stack proves that you have the skills needed to manage workflow and optimize operations within an IT environment.
CompTIA Systems Support Specialist
CompTIA’s Systems Support Specialist is another stackable certification. In this case, it combines A+ and Linux+ certifications. This certification path generally compliments work with technical and help desk support roles. This can include guiding people through tasks, troubleshooting software, and working with both hardware and networking systems.
CompTIA Network Infrastructure Professional
The CompTIA Network Infrastructure Professional stack combines Network+ and Server+ certifications. It highlights an IT professional’s skills with the more advanced aspects of networking infrastructure. As such, it prepares people to take responsibility for all stages of an infrastructure design project. This means going from the initial inception to development and deployment.
CompTIA Linux Network Professional
The CompTIA Linux Network Professional stack combines Network+ and Linux+ certifications to provide a broad knowledge base for network engineers. As the two certifications suggest, it generally ensures people are equipped to handle critical Linux-related elements of both internal and client systems. This stack also encompasses support roles related to these systems and real-time monitoring to ensure operations run smoothly.
CompTIA Secure Infrastructure Specialist
The CompTIA Secure Infrastructure Specialist stack combines three certifications. A combination of A+, Network+, and Security+ certifications attest to a broad skillset. It proves people are ready to support most aspects of professional hardware and software, but it also shows that an IT professional can harden and protect many different systems and network configurations from most digital threats.
Final Thoughts
Now that you know how to start a career in network engineering, want to learn more about CyberTex? We offer a path to certification in our Network Engineering Program. The coursework will prepare you for the many certifications that are offered in the IT field. You bring your passion for information technology, and we provide the rest.
Want to Learn More?
Ready to learn more about becoming certified as a network engineer? The Network Engineering Program at CyberTex prepares you for advanced computer networking & security jobs. The course prepares you in the most advanced networking certifications and software available including Windows 10, Windows 2012R2 Server and multiple CompTIA offerings. You will learn the skills and abilities necessary to setup, install, configure, repair and manage modern computer networks and their security. Contact us today to learn more.